Motif Index of German Secular Narratives                 
Published by the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna
 Introduction   Matière de Bretagne   Chansons de Geste   Miscellaneous Romances   Oriental Romances   Heroic Epic   Maere and Novellas   Romances of Antiquity   Index 

Dietrich und Wenezlan
DietW-1
DietW-33
DietW-76
DietW-143
DietW-255
DietW-395
  

Heroic Epic

Dietrich und Wenezlan
Zupitza, J.: Deutsches Heldenbuch V. Berlin 1870. Reprint 1968. p. 265-274

DietW-1:   Wolfhart is sent by king Wenezlân to convey his challenge to single combat to Dietrich.
Motif References:

P 14.15.2 Court messenger
P 533.1 Hostages
P 556.0.1 (Bm) Challenge to single combat [feud]

DietW-33:   As Wolfhart tells him that his opponent is the bravest man ever seen, Dietrich refuses to fight with Wenezlân. Wolfhart states that he and Hildebrand would have to die if Dietrich declined the combat and calls him a coward.
Motif References:

P 12 Character of kings
W 121 Cowardice

DietW-76:   As Wolfhart mentions that Wenezlân would invade the country in case of Dietrich’s refusal and threatens to leave Dietrich’s service, Dietrich gives in and remembers the oath he has taken: if he were not able to take Hildebrand and Wolfhart with him, he would later come and rescue them. Wolfhart takes his leave.
Motif References:

M 150 Other vows and oaths

DietW-143:   Dietrich visits Etzel and tells him about the challenge. Etzel resolves to help and join him on the journey. Dietrich, Etzel and his army leave. They cross river Salzâ and enter enemy land. Wolfhart comes and meets Dietrich in his army camp. Dietrich begs him to deliver the message to Wenezlân that he would leave him to choose between fighting a single combat between the two armies or start a battle. Wolfhart returns to the king of Bôlân. (lacuna in manuscript)
Motif References:

N 836 King as helper

DietW-255:   Dietrich arms himself and rides towards Wenezlân. Their followers and noble women watch the fight. Place for the combat is marked on the ground (rinc). Dietrich and Wenezlân first fight with lances and unhorse each other. Then the combatants continue fighting with swords.
Motif References:

P 550.2 (Li) Single combat
F 1084 Furious battle [fight]

DietW-395:   Furious fight lasts until noon. Dietrich’s strength wanes and Wenezlân drives him through the Hunnish army. Wenezlân seems to overcome Dietrich until Wolfhart incites his king to throw the shield down and take the sword in both hands. Dietrich regains strength and drives his opponent back. Finally they come back to the place where the combat has started (in front of the queen’s tent). The combat remains undecided.
Motif References:

W 32 Bravery
N 839 (Bm) Noble [vassal, knight] as helper